The Entomological Society of New Zealand is proud to launch the second ever Bug of the Year 2024 competition with 20 incredible nominees vying for the top spot. Learn more about the nominees before you vote!
Who will steal the crown from the ngaro huruhuru native bee?
Voting is open through 12 Feb 2024
Eight charming bugs who deserve your love - Article from the Spinoff that prompted this post
Voted for the praying mantis.
New Zealand Praying Mantises are having a difficult time since colonization by South Africa.
The NZ Praying Mantises are chill, not like overseas mantises, no mate-eating happens in their life cycle, you just mate and go your separate ways, it’s all good.
Unfortunately South African female mantises do eat their mates and they also have stronger pheromones so New Zealand males are more attracted to them and get killed and eaten without even getting a chance to reproduce. :-(